Keatsy has scored five goals in two visits to East Shore Park for the Shippy.
A Shaun Keatings hat-trick, which included two late penalties, gave the Shipyard a welcome victory against Newburgh Juniors at East Shore Park on Saturday. It was a deserved victory against the managerless hosts, with Alan Moody and his team leaving for pastures new, as the Shippy dominated for long spells and created more than enough clear cut chances to justify the three points. The Shipyard starting eleven showed four changes from Tuesday’s defeat at Dalkeith with Ben Anthony, Ryan O’Donnell, Craig Junior Thomson and Craig Watt dropping out for various reasons and they were replaced by Michael Gibb, Cammy Lewis, Billy Murray and Dan Thomson.
The Shipyard started brightly with Harris Kay seeing his 9th minute shot deflected for a corner and then Billy Murray saw his twenty yard volley come back off the bar. The Shippy took the lead in the 13th minute when Keatings broke clear of the Newburgh defence and lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper David Chalmers and into the net, with the home defence appealing in vain for offside. The Shippy were unable to maintain their lead though as Newburgh drew level three minutes later when Struan Grieve capitalised on some slack defending to get a shot away that went in off the post. Burgh were enjoying their best spell of the match and went close in the 21st minute when a corner found it’s way to the far side of the six yard box and only the width of the post kept the scores level. At the other end more defensive frailties offered a chance to Thomson but he was unable to find the net. A Keatings curling shot was pushed away by Chalmers after he cut in from the left. In the 38th minute Keatings had another chance as he beat the keeper to the ball and flicked it over him. He then got a shot away, which looked to be going in, but the ball lacked the power to get over the line. The Shipyard were creating opportunities but they had nothing to show for them as the half-time whistle blew.
Newburgh created a great chance five minutes into the second period when a cross whipped in from the left beat the sprawling Scott Costello and also Newburgh attacker sliding in at the back post to go out for a goal kick. The Shipyard went close again in the 57th minute when a Keatings free kick was headed back across goal by Mark James and Thomson saw his close range strike come back off the post. That was Thomson’s last action in the match as he was replaced by his namesake Craig Junior. A Shipyard corner in the 63rd minute caused a bit of panic in the home defence; however, they quickly broke forward and it was the visitors defence who did well to clear the danger at the expense of a corner. Substitute Ryan Watt saw his shot from range go over the bar before the Shippy got their noses in front. A fine pass from Watt found Robbie MacAulay and as he burst into the box, he was brought down leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot. Keatings made no mistake from twelve yards. As the game moved into added time the Shippy were awarded another penalty though this one was not as clear cut. Lewis got into the six yard box and collided with the keeper and despite the ball breaking to Watt the ref blew his whistle and pointed to the spot again. Once again Keatsy made no mistake as he secured the win for the Shippy. There was a concern for the Shipyard as Hamish Milne took a head knock with the young defender going to hospital for a precautionary check.
Manager Lee Richardson was happy after the game when he said “The boys that came on against Dalkeith during the week did well that night and deserved their chance today and I think they all took it. We were a bit short on bodies today, however, all the boys rose to the challenge as we gathered a vital three points.”
Next Saturday (16/09/2023) we welcome Stirling University to the Shippy just a few weeks after losing to them at Ochilview. Both teams are on twelve points from seven games with a win putting the victors in the top three. Kick-off is at the usual time of 2.30pm.
Newburgh Juniors: D. Chalmers; C. Anderson; A. Cameron; S. Grieve; R. Hall; K. Harris; E. Jowitt; C. MacDonald; M. Perrie; M. Sharp; A. Wilson. Subs: J. Russell; R. McPhate; J. Malcolm; H. Mitchell; L. Stevenson; K. Tracey; C. White.
Burntisland Shipyard: S. Costello; L. Ross (R. Watt); I. Millar; H. Milne; M. Gibb; M. James; D. Thomson (CJ. Thomson); H. Kay; B. Murray (R. MacAulay); S. Keatings; C. Lewis.
The Shipyard turned in as poor a half as you are likely to see as Dalkeith Thistle blitzed a beleaguered visitors defence with three goals in eleven first half minutes, killing the match as a contest. The second period was a much more even contest but the damage had already been done. The teams came into this match on the back of contrasting Scottish Cup results. Thistle were on a high following their 5-0 win over St Cuthbert Wanderers on Saturday while the Shippy were still licking their wounds on the back of their defeat at Sauchie.
Two changes from Saturday saw Iain Millar and Ryan O’Donnell come in for Michael Gibb and Sam Glancy.
After an uneventful opening ten minutes Dalkeith took the lead following a defensive mix up in the Shipyard defence which led to Michael Gould heading the ball home. Things got worse five minutes later when Dalkeith doubled their lead when Lewis Russell claimed the final touch from a Duncan Muir cross. Scott Costello saved with his legs and Gould hit the post as his pace caused the Shippy no end of problems. In between a Ben Anthony shot didn’t give Dalkeith keeper Aaron Jones to much trouble. The hosts went three ahead in the 22nd minute when Michael Rennie lashed the ball high into the net from close range at the back post following a free kick. The Shippy managed to keep Dalkeith at bay for the rest of the half and were a bit unfortunate when they couldn’t force the ball home after a scramble in the Thistle area just before half-time.
Rooney unfortunately saw red after setting up Shippy goal.
Manager Lee Richardson had to react and he made three changes at the interval as he replaced Harris Kay, CJ Thomson and O’Donnell with Cammy Lewis, Dan Thomson and Kearyn Hicks. The changes didn’t make an immediate difference as Dalkeith scored again. A ball from the righthand side found Gould totally unmarked in the centre of goal and he smashed the ball beyond Costello. A delicious curling effort from Anthony was tipped over by Jones and Craig Watt volleyed just over from around twenty yards as the Shipyard at last imposed themselves on the match. In the 56th minute a great run from Watt resulted in a Shippy goal as a Dalkeith defender turned the ball into his own net. Watt then blotted his copy book as he was red carded for apparent foul and abusive language towards the referee. Good play from sub Billy Murray, who made an impact when he came on, set up a chance for the Shippy but no one could take advantage and the chance was gone. Dalkeith finished the match strongly and Costy was forced to make a couple of good saves in the closing five minutes to keep the score down to four.
Richardson did not have a lot to say after the match other than “We were not at it from the start and once again lost some very poor goals. We were better in the second half but the game was gone by then.”
On Saturday we travel to Newburgh for our “Derby” match, a strange one that! Kick off at East Shore Park is at 2.30pm.
Dalkeith Thistle: A. Jones; D. McTernan; D. Muir; G. Callaghan; J. Mackie; K. Brockie; L. Russell; M. Brown; M. Lennie; M. Gould; R. Aitchison. Subs: C. Young; D. Greig; J. Davidson; R. Clelland; M. Ritchie.
Burntisland Shipyard: S. Costello; L. Ross; R. O’Donnell (K. Hicks); H. Milne; I. Millar; C. Watt; CJ. Thomson (D. Thomson); H. Kay (C. Lewis); B. Anthony (R. MacAulay); M. James; S. Keatings (B. Murray). Unused Subs: R. Watt & M. Robertson.
The Shipyard fell at the first hurdle in this season’s Scottish Cup as they went down 4-0 to Sauchie Juniors at Beechwood Park on Saturday. The match was a lot tighter than the scoreline suggests as it was only in the closing stages that the hosts sealed their victory. The biggest problem for the Shippy was that they did not create enough opportunities to score, with Ben Anthony somewhat isolated as he ploughed a lone furrow up front. Iain Millar missed out through suspension, and his height was missed at the back, as was Kearyn Hicks’ who was not fit enough to take part. Lewis Ross and Shaun Keatings returned after being absent last week, however, Ryan O’Donnell missed out through work commitments.
The Shippy made a good start to the match and posed a threat in the first minute. Sauchie replied with a shot from Sam Davidson that Scott Costello comfortably saved. The Shipyard broke quickly in the 3rd minute as Mark James released Anthony down the right flank and Benji’s cross was met by the head of Craig Junior Thomson but the youngster couldn’t direct his attempt on target. Ross played a good ball to Thomson; however, his cross didn’t find a Shippy attacker. The game swung to the other end and Daniel Smith shot over for the hosts though neither team could get the upper hand at this stage. In the 24th minute Costello did well to save a powerful shot from the edge of the box but there was nothing he could do twelve minutes later as Sauchie took the lead. A great delivery from a corner found Jack Thomson who timed his run and jump to perfection and powerfully headed home from around eight yards out. In first half added time a free kick whipped into the box ended up just wide of Costy’s left-hand post.
There was a welcome return from Sam Glancy.
D. Smith was thwarted by Costello at the start of the second period and his namesake Mark tried a clever flick but couldn’t find the net. The Shippy had a great chance in the 57th minute when the ball found it’s way to Keatings at the back post, however, he was quickly closed down and his shot was blocked. Sauchie doubled their lead and made it an uphill struggle for the Shippy when ex-Shipyard youth player Lewis Payne scored with a left foot strike from some sixteen yards. A goal that had Shippy manager Lee Richardson bemoaning the lack of a serious challenge in the build-up. Only the sharp reflexes of Sauchie keeper Charles Clark denied the Shippy a goal as he reacted quickly to avert an own goal as Anthony’s great cross was deflected towards his own net by Lucas Williamson. Richardson made a few changes as he tried to get his men back into the match but as the game entered the final five minutes the hosts scored twice to make it a more flattering result. The first came from a penalty after Ryan Watt was adjudged to have tripped Payne in the area. The big striker took the kick himself and he slotted the ball home. The second was scored by substitute Jack Fisher who found the net from the centre of the box in the 88th minute.
After the match Richardson said “I thought we competed well in the first half, though that being said we didn’t create enough chances. Towards the end we ran out of steam and conceded two late goals which I thought flattered Sauchie. However, they were the better team and deserved to go through to the next round.”
We quickly return to action with a league match at Dalkeith on Tuesday night (5/9/23). Kick off for this one is at 7.30pm.
Sauchie Juniors: C. Clark; C. Willaghan; S. Davidson; J. Thomson; L. Williamson; B. Morgan; D. Smith; S. Davidson; M. Smith; L. Payne; R. Hutchison. Subs: T. Elvin; S. Muir; D. Carroll; A. Peacock; D. Carr; G. McDermott; K. Jackson; J. Fisher.
Burntisland Shipyard: S. Costello; L. Ross; S. Glancy; H. Milne; M. Gibb; C. Watt; S. Keatings (R. Watt); H. Kay; B. Anthony (B. Murray); M. James (C. Lewis); CJ. Thomson (D. Thomson).
The Shipyard got back to winning ways in the league following an emphatic 5-1 win over Ormiston Primrose at Recreation Park on Saturday. Although the deadlock wasn’t broken until the 44th minute the Shippy had created a few good chances prior to the opener and were on top, however, a three-goal burst in the opening minutes of the second half had the Shippy cruising and ensured the three points stayed in Burntisland. Shaun Keatings, Robbie MacAulay and Lewis Ross were all unavailable and coupled with the departures of Aedan Brown and Declan Pierce during the week, meantp9iu that the squad that was available to face Ormiston was somewhat depleted to the one that faced Thornton last week.
Mark James, Ben Anthony, CJ Thomson and Ryan Watt all spurned chances in the first half but it was an incident at the other end that created the biggest talking point as the visitors were denied what looked like a stonewall penalty after a challenge in the box. The Shipyard took the lead in the 44th minute following a free kick played deep into the box and big Iain Millar got on the end of it though who got the final touch is open to debate as Primrose defender Josh Winnik was credited with an own goal in some quarters.
Jamesy scored two with his head.
The second half got off to a sensational start as the Shippy scored barely 20 seconds into it. Anthony showed interest in a flighted ball through the middle and although he was second favourite to get the ball, Ormiston keeper Reece Pollock failed to catch the ball at the edge of his area allowing Benji to walk the ball into the net and double the lead. It was 3-0 five minutes later as James headed home a Harris Kay free kick at the back post. Jamesy got his second a few minutes later as he rose higher than Pollock to nod in another Kay free kick. The visitors then enjoyed their best spell of the match as Winnik was denied twice in quick succession. Firstly, Scott Costello produced a great save to deny the big defender and then from the resultant corner CJ Thomson was on hand to head the ball clear at the expense of another set piece, which was eventually cleared. James almost got a hat trick of headers but unfortunately for him this one was just off target and then Craig Watt was not too far away either as his shot cleared the bar. Ormiston pulled a goal back as the game entered added time and Costello would be disappointed that he failed to collect substitute Zac Scally’s low shot. The Shippy restored their four-goal lead in the closing seconds as substitute Billy Murray’s shot went in off the underside of the bar. Manager Lee Richardson was happy after the match when he said “We needed that and hopefully it will restore confidence ahead of next week’s Scottish Cup match. We created plenty of chances and once the first goal went in it settled us down.”
Next Saturday we travel to Beechwood Park to face Sauchie in the Scottish Cup with the match kicking off at 3.00pm. The Club is running a bus to the match which will leave the ground at 12.30pm. Prices are £15 for adults and £7 for children. Please check with the Club for seat availability.
Burntisland Shipyard: S. Costello; M. Gibb; R. O’Donnell; H. Milne; I. Millar 9A. Trialist); C. Watt; M. James; H. Kay; B. Anthony (B. Murray); R. Watt (C. Lewis); CJ. Thomson (D. Thomson).
Ormiston Primrose: R. Pollock; K. Korpalski; B. Maxwell; J. Winnik; Danny Worobec; C. Hogg; R. Fleming; C. Howden; S. Moffat; P. Adrian; B. Tracy. Subs: K. Beveridge; S. Hunter; Z. Scally; A. Courtney; D. Anderson; D. Nichol.
Once again, the Shipyard shot themselves in the foot as more poor defending cost them passage into the next round of the South Challenge Cup. Yet another free header from around six yards out and losing possession deep inside their own half were the decisive mistakes that cost the Shippy dearly. The Shipyard were boosted by the return of Craig Watt from injury and the availability of Ben Anthony who had been scheduled to work.
The Shipyard created the early openings with a Shaun Keatings drive deflected wide. A Keatings pass created a chance for Cammy Lewis but the diminutive forward saw his shot blocked. A Mark James header was then tipped over as the Shippy continued to look the likelier team to score. Hibs’ first attempt came in the 19th minute when Andrew McCallion shot just wide. The hosts went on to enjoy a spell of pressure as Scott Costello was twice forced into saves in the space of a couple of minutes as he pushed efforts off target. Anthony then saw a shot comfortably saved by Hibs keeper Calum Sutherland before Thornton took the lead. A free kick was conceded on the Shippy right-hand side and when the ball was delivered the unmarked Keir Allan headed in off the underside of the bar from the centre of goal, no more than six yards out. Andrew Adam shot across the face of the Shippy goal in the 39th minute and just before half-time an Anthony free kick was not too far away for the Shippy.
Michael’s goal brought the Shippy back into the match.
The Shippy left themselves with an uphill struggle just four minutes into the second half when possession was needlessly conceded wide on the left and when the cross came in Garry Thomson volleyed the ball home. The Shippy had a great chance to pull one back when Anthony broke clear, however, Sutherland blocked with his legs and then Watt poked an effort just wide of the post. The Shipyard pulled a goal back in the 62nd minute when Michael Gibb got on the end an Anthony flick on to score from close range. The loss of the goal seemed to lift Thornton and on three occasions the Shippy managed to save or block efforts at the expense of corners as the hosts looked to re-establish their two goal advantage. With the match in the final fifteen minutes a Keatings free kick was held low down by Sutherland and at the other end a Thomson volley was not too far away. With the game deep into added time the Shipyard should have been given the chance to take the game to extra time from the penalty spot. A ball played in from the Shipyard right clearly struck the arm of the Thornton defender, sparking loud roars for a penalty. Much to everyone’s disbelieve the referee waved play and he stated after the match that the player had not made his body bigger. Really!!! Given other penalty decisions in our earlier matches this season all that can be said is that there is no consistency whatsoever from our officials.
Manager lee Richardson was naturally disappointed after the match when he said “we keep giving away needless goals. Furthermore, we are not converting enough of our chances either. We just have to keep working hard in training and our fortunes will change.”
Next Saturday (26/08/2023) we are back in league action with Ormiston Primrose the visitors. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.
Thornton Hibs: C. Sutherland; D. Meldrum; D. McMillan (N. Laird); S. Peletier; I. Shanks; K. Allan; H. Duffy; A. Adam (D. McNab); A. McCallion (L. Horsburgh); G. Thomson; R. Westwater (J. Soutar). Unused Subs: S. Drummond & C. Doctor.
Burntisland Shipyard: S. Costello; L. Ross; R. O’Donnell; H. Milne; I. Millar; C. Watt; M. Gibb (R. MacAulay); M. James; B. Anthony; C. Lewis (CJ. Thomson); S. Keatings (B. Murray). Unused Subs: A. Brown; D. Pierce; H. Kay; R. Watt.
New lottery launched to support football in Burntisland.
Along with Burntisland United and Burntisland 07’s we are pleased to announce the launch of this lottery. The aim is to help all three clubs in the town develope and improve facilities going forward. Whether it be winter training facilities, the hire of Astros if pitches are unplayable, new kit and equipment or travel costs etc, your participation in this venture will help each club. You can select which club you wish to support from a drop down menu on the lottery page as each club will receive their percentage from the support that they get. All the information can be found at:
The Shipyard were once again defensively all at sea, predominantly in the first forty five minutes as Stirling University cut them open almost at will. Manager Lee Richardson changed things around at the interval and those changes worked as the Shippy kept a clean sheet in the second half, however, the damage was done. With Ben Anthony, Harris Kay, Sandy Strang and Kearyn Hicks unavailable, Shaun Keatings suspended and Craig Watt and Cammy Lewis injured, Richardson did not have his troubles to seek.
The Shippy got off to a calamitous start shipping another early goal, this time possession was given up far too easily and Ryan Lennon netted from around six yards. CJ Thomson fired a free kick just wide before Scott Costello was at full stretch to turn the ball around the post. Stirling grabbed a second in the 14th minute when a ball across the face of goal found it’s way to the back post where the unmarked Ben Hislop knocked the ball home. The Shippy got back into the match a couple of minutes later when a Robbie MacAulay corner sailed into the top corner though Iain Millar may have got the last touch as the ball crossed the line. Before the Shippy could build on their goal they fell two behind again, though this was a touch controversial as Michael Gibb seemed to be deliberately obstructed as he went to challenge Hislop. However, the Uni man was allowed to continue and he dispatched a fine strike beyond Costello. The big keeper was then forced into a couple of good saves as he kept the students at bay. Stirling scored as fourth goal in the 34th minute when the Shippy defence failed to clear a corner. It was soon five as Mark Harty drove the ball home from the edge of the box. The Shippy then passed up a couple of golden chances to reduce arrears as firstly MacAulay failed to beat the keeper when put through one on one and when the resultant corner came in it hit the outside of the post. A minute into added time Billy Murray lobbed over from a good position when he might have done better.
Mikey drove the Shipyard forward in the second half.
Ryan O’Donnell had replaced Matty Robertson just before the interval and combined with a couple of positional changes the Shippy had a much different look about them as the second period commenced. Big Millzy headed a corner over from six yards out and then MacAulay shot straight at the keeper after being set up by Mark James. The Shipyard deservedly pulled one back in the 61st minute when Murray back heeled the ball in following good work from Gibb. Another quick goal might have made it interesting but when Lewis Ross’ header came back off the post in the 66th minute you felt that maybe that was the one that had to go in. Neither team threatened much after that and in the end the Uni comfortably saw out the match without any further scares.
We travel to Memorial Park on Saturday to face Thornton Hibs in the first round of the South Challenge Cup. Kick-off is at 2.30pm
Stirling University: A. Buttogeig; J. Navarro; L. Stewart; D. Laird; O. Hunter; A. Penman; B. Hislop; Z. Kohring; N. Tallen; M. Harty; R. Lennon. Subs: A. Rowan; F. Aigbokie; B. Moule; T. Sigauke; M. Thomson; E. Walker’
Burntisland Shipyard: S. Costello; M. Gibb; M. Robertson (R. O’Donnell); H. Milne; I. Millar; L. Ross; CJ. Thomson; M. James; B. Murray; R. MacAulay; D. Thomson (R. Watt). Unused Subs: A. Brown & D. Pierce.
Shippy manager Lee Richardson said before the game that he was going to experiment for this match and he made four changes to the starting eleven, a couple of positional changes and went with a different system, at least to start with, in this East of Scotland Qualifying Cup tie. There was also a second half debut for new signing Matty Robertson. Kearyn Hicks and Ryan O’Donnell made their first starts of the season with Billy Murray and CJ Thomson returning to the fold. The outcome probably left more questions than answers for Lee as his side went down 6-2 to a Rosyth side gifted a three goal start in a crazy opening twelve minutes.
The game was not even a minute old when the Shipyard fell behind as indecision inside the six-yard box allowed Darrin Ormiston the chance to stab the ball home. The Shippy were nearly level in the 4th minute but unfortunately Shaun Keatings’ sweetly struck free kick came back off the post. The hosts doubled their lead in the 11th minute when a cross from the right-hand side found Ormiston unmarked in the centre of goal and he knocked the ball home. A minute later it was 3-0 following some horrific defending as the ball was allowed to travel to the back post for Zac Mooney to nod the ball in. The Shippy should have pulled a goal back in the 24th minute, however CJ Thomson could not convert Ben Anthony’s pass. The Shipyard were back in the match a minute later when Murray was played in by Mark James and he smashed the ball home from just inside the box. The Shippy were creating chances with Anthony twice going close and testing Macaulay Jarrett in the Rosyth goal. The big keeper also held a Hicks header as the Shippy pressed for another. Scott Costello probably made his first save of the match a minute into added time when he held an Ormiston shot at his near post.
Sandy Strang and Robertson came on for Dan Thomson and Ryan Watt at the interval as the Shipyard reverted to a 4-4-2 formation. The Shippy were still creating openings and a couple of delightful crosses played into the danger area went abegging. A corner then fell to Hicks but the big centre back couldn’t put his effort on target. Substitute Kieran McMahon headed over shortly after coming on and as the game headed towards the final twenty minutes Rosyth took control of the game as the Shippy defence began to tire. McMahon scored the fourth goal in the 69th minute to effectively put the game beyond doubt and shortly after Lewis Ross was on hand to clear the ball off the line. Substitute Robbie MacAulay saw his low curling effort pushed away for a corner and from the set piece Jarrett saved a headed attempt. Michael Ness shot over for the hosts before some very poor play gifted Rosyth another goal. Trying to play out from the back, under pressure, resulted in the ball landing at Marc Sludden’s feet and he had the simple task of putting the ball in the net. Jack Denham headed home powerfully from a corner to make it six before Macaulay got a consolation for the Shippy when he cheekily flicked the ball home from close range. Richardson was disappointed after the game when he said “It was the same old failings. We are not defending properly and against a good side you will be punished. What was pleasing is we are creating plenty of chances and apart from the opening and closing fifteen minute periods we more than matched them.” He went on to add “The league is more important to us, hence the reason I changed things around tonight. For Saturday I should have Millzy, Hamish, Gibby and Cammy back although Rooney remains sidelined at the moment.”
Stirling University are the opposition on Saturday as we return to league action with the match at Ochilview, Stenhousemuir, being at the slightly later time of 3pm.
Rosyth: M. Jarrett; J. Denham; G. Leighton; J. Penman; A. McAvoy; M. Ness; M. Zata; M. Sludden; Z. Mooney; D. Ormiston; G. Hamilton. Subs: C. Tully; M. Gallacher; M. Wallace; J. Fisher; K. McMahon.
Burntisland Shipyard: S. Costello; R. O’Donnell (D. Pierce); D. Thomson (M. Robertson); L. Ross; K. Hicks; CJ. Thomson; S. Keatings (A. Brown); M. James; B. Anthony; B. Murray (R. MacAulay); R. Watt (S. Strang).
